Witnessing History: My Reflection on New Jersey's 57th Governor's Inauguration
Witnessing Mikie Sherrill and Dr. Dale G. Caldwell becoming Governor and Lieutenant Governor was a reminder hope and democracy is still alive!
Hey guys,
Imagine causally sitting in your bedroom, opening your email and seeing a message from the New Jersey Gubernatorial Campaign Committee saying:
You are invited to the New Jersey 2026 Governor’s Inauguration.
Your first thought?
“Is this real?”
You click the email.
You see an official invitation with your name on it.
You scream. You run to tell your mom. You ask your parents if they want to go, and without hesitation, they say, “Of course, we’re going.” You laugh, sign up, and sit there completely stunned.
That’s exactly what happened to me.
To this day, I still don’t fully know why I received the invitation, but I knew one thing for sure: I was honored, excited, and incredibly grateful.
A Day I Will Never Forget
On January 20th, 2026, I had the honor of attending the 57th Inauguration of Governor Mikie Sherrill and Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell. I also had the privilege of bringing my two heroes with me—my parents.
Seeing history being made alongside the people who raised me, fought for me, supported me, and taught me to believe in myself was emotional in a way that’s hard to put into words. My parents have always encouraged me to speak up, to care deeply about my community, and to believe that my voice, especially as a black disabled young person, matters. Being there with them felt like a full-circle moment. I felt that I gave them a chance to see history and that this is one of the days where I can say thank you!
Governor Mikie Sherrill delivered a powerful speech that reminded us that change is possible, but only if we work together. She spoke about New Jersey’s roots, reminding us that we are a state of fighters who stand up for our communities, and that we still have work to do. She is the first woman who is a Democrat to serve as the Governor of New Jersey.
She addressed the affordability crisis facing New Jerseyans and didn’t just talk about solutions, she acted. By signing two bills aimed at lowering utility costs, she showed that this administration is ready to take real steps to make life more affordable.
Her message was clear: change does not happen by accident. It happens when we show up for one another and fight for the good fight together.
Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell’s speech moved me to my core. He spoke about education as a door-opener, how it shaped his journey and helped him achieve his aspirations. His words echoed lessons my parents have instilled in me my entire life: education creates opportunity, empowerment, and possibility.
As a disabled student and advocate (who wants to pursue education policy), hearing a leader speak so passionately about education felt affirming. Education isn’t just about degrees or careers; it’s about empowerment, independence, and dignity. It’s about reaching for your dreams even when it’s hard.
A Question That Stayed With Me
As I sat there, listening and reflecting, one question kept replaying in my mind:
How can I help this administration show up for New Jerseyans?
How can we help advocate for ourselves and our communities?
That question led me to think about what I hope to see from this new administration moving forward. For me, advocacy is personal. It is rooted in my lived experience as a disabled person and in my commitment to making New Jersey more accessible, equitable, and inclusive for everyone. It’s also about acknowledging that we all have a responsibility to ensure that our voices are being heard and our concerns are being listened to in this state we call home!
Call to Action: What I Hope Comes Next
These are just a few of the actions I would like to see prioritized:
Expanded and more accessible transportation options for disabled people
Increased funding for essential programs such as SNAP and Medicaid
Continued commitment to affordability, accessibility, and equity for all New Jerseyans
More policies that center disabled voices in decision-making spaces
And this is only the beginning.
The Work Continues
I am excited to see what comes next for this new administration and to continue advocating, alongside my peers and friends, for a more accessible, welcoming, and inclusive New Jersey.
The work is not done. In many ways, it has only just begun.
What do you want to see happen?
Write a letter to Governor Mikie Sherrill
Sign petitions
Contact your representatives
Get involved in your community
Democracy works best when we all participate.
Discussion question: What issues are you most passionate about? What actions, policies, or priorities would you like to see addressed in the Sherrill Administration?
**This is the opinion of Enable Everything**